Boyden-Hull cruises past South O’Brien 61-42

Boyden-Hull was dominant on both sides of the ball Tuesday night, Feb. 21, and the Comets’ strong performance resulted in a 61-42 victory over South O’Brien and a trip to the Class 1A District 2 final.

Boyden-Hull went up early and never looked back. The Comets held the Wolverines to just 2 points in the first quarter and only nine9 in the first half.

The Comets hit their stride on offense as the game transitioned into the second quarter. Boyden-Hull put up 22 points in the quarter and led 32-9 at the half.

Coach Bill Francis was able to mix in some of his bench players throughout the second half, as the Comets maintained a lead of more than 20 points for most of the game. Nine different Boyden-Hull players scored points, and three of those players made it into double figures.

Overall, the Comets made 27-of-48 shots for an impressive shooting percentage of 56. They were just 1-of-6 from the 3-point range and went 6-of-13 from the free-throw line.

The Comets improved to 16-7 with the victory, which was their fourth in a row and 11th in their last 12 games. They set themselves up for a contest against George-Little Rock in the Class 1A District 2 final, a game that was originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 in Sheldon, but was postponed to Saturday, Feb. 25 due to inclement weather.

LEMARS-Boyden-Hull had its best defensive effort of the season in its Class 1A District 2 boys’ basketball tournament game with George-Little Rock Saturday and it did not take long for the Comets to punch their ticket to the Class 1A Sub-state 1 game in a 57-36 victory.

This game was moved from Thursday due to a snowstorm. Boyden-Hull’s defense held George-Little Rock to 37 percent shooting from the floor and a 5-of-19 for 26 percent from the 3-point line. That defense was on display in the first half as the Comets claimed a 22-10 lead after the first quarter and a 32-16 lead at halftime.

“We did a great job of playing team defense. It was the best defense we’ve had all year where all five guys were working together. They just did a tremendous job,” said Boyden-Hull coach Bill Francis.

The Mustangs, however, were able to make a run at the Comets to start the second half, shrinking the lead to 10 at 43-33 for the final period of play. But Boyden-Hull’s defense still proved to be too much, allowing the Comets’ offense to go on a 14-3 run in the fourth quarter and seal the game.

“Our defense always leads to offense for us. Even if we don’t get a layup, it just helps us get up and down the court,” Francis said. “Our kids also enjoy shutting the other team down. Our defense is the biggest part of our game, especially at tournament time.”

The win sent Boyden-Hull to the Class 1A Sub-state 1 game against 23-0 Remsen-St. Mary’s Monday, Feb. 27, in Sheldon (again due to the snow storm Thursday). Francis said the task will be tough, but he believes the Comets are up to the challenge.

“We feel good. We really think that we’re playing our best basketball of the year right now. We’re playing well as a group and that’s what we need at this time of year,” Francis said.

Shane Solberg led Boyden-Hull in scoring with 14. Zach Noble had 11 and Mitchell Diekevers had 10. No other stats were released at ﻿press deadline.

SIOUX CENTER-The Sioux Center cross-country invitational at The Ridge Golf and Country Club Thursday, Sept. 21, was the biggest and most talented field of runners Western Christian, Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley and Trinity Christian would see this 2017 season.

BELLVUE, NEB-Class 2A second-ranked Western Christian always uses the Bellevue West volleyball tournament in Bellevue, Nebraska, as an early-season measuring stick to figure out what to work on for the rest of the regular season.

HULL-Boyden-Hull played a tough two sets against Central Lyon in Siouxland Conference volleyball Thursday, Sept. 7, but the Comets could not dig themselves out of early holes in each set and were swept 25-21, 25-23, 25-16.

Sibley-Ocheyedan cross-country meet Local teams compete in second meet of the 2017 season Both Wolfpack teams claim third-place finishes, Lizzy Blum of the Nighthawks takes first individual meet title, Tiger boys

LEMARS-Trinity Christian was able to play with Class 1A fifth-ranked LeMars Gehlen Catholic for the first half of each game, but the Tigers could not prevent the game-deciding runs the Jays made in each set and were swept 25-13, 25-17, 25-15 in War Eagle Conference volleyball Tuesday, Sept. 5.

HULL-Boyden-Hull had its fair share of lumps and bumps during its home volleyball tournament Thursday, Aug. 31, but, in the end, the Comets were able to get the points when it mattered most to win all three of their matches.

SPIRIT LAKE-Due to the cancellation of the Spencer cross-country meet Thursday, Aug. 24, the Western Christian girls’ and boys’ cross-country teams had to start their 2017 campaign at the Spirit Lake Invitational Tuesday, Aug. 29 at Brooks National Golf Club.

PAULLINA-South O’Brien had the edge in experience over Trinity Christian in a War Eagle Conference volleyball match Tuesday, Aug. 29, but the Tigers were able to find a way to win 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 19-25, 17-15 and start the 2017 season 1-0.